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Washington Metro Division Unemployment Rate Decreases to 5.5 Percent

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Washington Metro Division Unemployment Rate Decreases to 5.5 Percent

(Washington, DC) - The District of Columbia Department of Employment Services (DOES) reported today that the preliminary August job estimates show a decrease of 25,400 jobs for a total of 2,481,900 jobs in the Washington Metropolitan Division. The private sector decreased by 10,500 jobs, while the public sector decreased by 14,900 jobs. The Washington Metropolitan Division’s not seasonally adjusted August 2013 unemployment rate was 5.5 percent, which is down 0.3 percentage points from the July revised rate of 5.8 percent.

The total civilian labor force in the Washington Metropolitan Division for August 2013 was 2,513,900, of which 2,375,500 were employed and 138,400 were unemployed. The unemployment rate was 5.5 percent. The total civilian labor force in the Suburban Ring of the communities surrounding the District of Columbia was 2,820,800, of which 2,678,800 were employed and 142,000 were unemployed. The unemployment rate for this area was 5.0 percent. In the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes the Washington Metropolitan Division and the Bethesda-Gaithersburg-Frederick, Maryland Metropolitan Division, the civilian labor force was 3,182,600, of which 3,009,800 were employed and 172,800 were unemployed. The unemployment rate for this area was 5.4 percent. For the month, the unemployment rates for the Washington Metropolitan Division, the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Suburban Ring decreased by 0.3 percentage points each.

The Washington Metropolitan Division’s civilian labor force decreased over the year by 6,400, while the number of employed increased by 300, and the number of unemployed decreased by 6,600. The civilian labor force for the Suburban Ring increased over the year by 1,000, while the number of employed increased by 7,200, and the number of unemployed decreased by 6,100. Meanwhile, the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area’s civilian labor force decreased by 2,500, while the number of employed increased by 5,900 and the number of unemployed decreased by 8,300. For the year, the unemployment rates for the Washington Metropolitan Division, the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Suburban ring decreased by 0.3 percentage points each.

Metropolitan Division’s Job Growth

Total wage and salary employment in the Washington Metropolitan Division decreased over the month by 25,400 jobs. The private sector decreased by 10,500 jobs, and the public sector decreased by 14,900 jobs over the month. One private sector had an over-the-month job gain. Meanwhile, seven private sectors, along with the federal, state and local government, had over-the-month job losses. Job gains were registered in financial activities, which gained 400 jobs. Job losses were registered in educational and health services, which lost 1,300 jobs; mining, logging, and construction lost 600 jobs; professional and business services lost 5,000 jobs; leisure and hospitality lost 1,500 jobs; trade, transportation, and utilities lost 1,500 jobs; manufacturing lost 400 jobs; and information lost 600 jobs. Other services had no over-the-month job change. Government overall lost 14,900 jobs over the month. State government lost 10,400 jobs, while the federal government decreased by 2,100 jobs, and the local government lost 2,400 jobs.

Estimated Labor Force and Employment for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Division includes: The District of Columbia, Virginia Cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Fredericksburg, Manassas, Manassas Park and the Virginia Counties of Arlington, Clarke, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudon, Prince William, Spotsylvania, Stafford, and Warren; the Maryland Counties of Calvert, Charles, and Prince Georges; and the West Virginia County of Jefferson.

The estimates for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area will be the summation of the estimates for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Division (contained in this release) and the Bethesda-Gaithersburg-Frederick, MD Metropolitan Division (to be released by the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation).

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